A representative from Tesla’s headquarters in the US will meet with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) on August 22 to discuss the company’s investment plans in Malaysia. The meeting is expected to clarify Tesla’s commitments and future plans in the region, according to Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz as reported by FMT.
Key Points:
- Meeting Agenda: The discussion will focus on Tesla’s investment strategy and confirm the continuance of any previous commitments made by the company. An official statement will be issued after the meeting to provide clarity on Tesla’s plans.
- Current Operations: Despite recent reports, Tesla’s existing service centres in Malaysia will continue to operate as usual. Tesla currently operates four experience centres in Malaysia.
- Recent Reports: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently suggested that Tesla has struggled to keep up with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and has faced financial difficulties. Anwar claimed that Tesla shared this information with Miti.
- Factory Plans: Tengku Zafrul clarified that Tesla had never officially announced plans to build a factory in Malaysia. This statement was in response to a report by Thai daily The Nation, which claimed Tesla had abandoned plans for factory construction in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
- EV Ecosystem Contributions: Tesla is a participant in Malaysia’s Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative, a government policy aimed at enhancing the country’s EV ecosystem. Tesla has surpassed its target of installing 50 charging units by setting up 52 ultra-fast chargers with a capacity exceeding 180kW each in various Malaysian states.
The meeting on August 22 will be pivotal in determining Tesla’s future role in Malaysia’s EV landscape and addressing any uncertainties surrounding its investment plans.
